Double Bass Maximizing "Mwah" with Camber

[Thumpie]

FIRST: Yes, technique is key. I can already increase "mwah" or eliminate it with with my playing style.

OK, NOW: I'm having a 2nd "experimenting bass" set-up and I'm thinking about having my luthier dress the fingerboard with a shallow scoop so that when I put Spiros on it and lower the bridge I'll be able to get a rich, think "mwah." I've long been fascinated by the sounds Reggie Workman got on those classic Pharoah Sanders discs, as well as the thing Steve Rodby has been doing since at least the late '80s.

I'm primarily going to be using this bass for arco practice, and when I do, I'll have Belcantos on it, and I'll raise the bridge to get the strings off the board. I'm hoping the shallow camber won't be a problem when I'm using the bow (with light to medium force).

Any thoughts on this plan?

 

[Jake deVilliers]

You're going in two opposite directions there. A straighter board will definitely increase the string/board contact for the a buzzy pizz sound, but you really should have more camber for arco play.

 

[gerry grable]

What the hell is mwah?

 

[iiipopes]

What the hell is mwah?

 

[gerry grable]

Thanks.
I thought the first guy was talking about upright. I guess I'm thinking about wah wah pedals.

 

[Thumpie]

You're going in two opposite directions there. A straighter board will definitely increase the string/board contact for the a buzzy pizz sound, but you really should have more camber for arco play.

Yes. That's why I was curious to hear thoughts on the matter.

 

[Ryanpet42]

You're going in two opposite directions there. A straighter board will definitely increase the string/board contact for the a buzzy pizz sound, but you really should have more camber for arco play.

I agree mainly because I played a person's bass over the summer which had been previously used for bluegrass/rockabilly but the person couldn't afford a new setup for. It (and the bass itself) helped the Belcantos on it sing and growl like nobody's business when played pizz.

 

[Andrew McGregor]

So, yes, these are opposed goals.

That said, a straightish board can work for arco, IF you're good at playing in the high-weight low-bow-speed regime.

 

[iiipopes]

Thanks.
I thought the first guy was talking about upright. I guess I'm thinking about wah wah pedals.

The OP is talking double bass, but the only "mwah" videos I could find were electric fretless.

 

[Thumpie]

So, yes, these are opposed goals.

That said, a straightish board can work for arco, IF you're good at playing in the high-weight low-bow-speed regime.

That must be me, because on the bass in question, I'm having no problem with the bow. It's with *pizz* that I have to reign in the force.

 

[Violen]

Dave Holland.

Mr PC
Invalid Link Removed

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHxqn1LlLcI

Killing it. I want a tone that fat and with that much muah.

 

[Thumpie]

Dave Holland.

Mr PC
Invalid Link Removed

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHxqn1LlLcI

Killing it. I want a tone that fat and with that much muah.

A lot of what you're hearing here is Holland's use of vibrato. I bet he could also get vastly different sounds out of that bass if he wanted to while comping.